Huber Heights approves $18M music center

HUBER HEIGHTS — The City Council on Thursday night voted unanimously to move forward with its $18 million music center in The Heights development.

The vote was taken before a full house following a presentation by staff. Construction is expected to start in the next two months near the Interstate 70 and State Route 201 interchange. The covered venue is expected to open in summer 2014 along the south side of Executive Boulevard, west of a Meijer store.

City officials have said tax increment financing money will be used to pay for the music center, which also includes the property acquisition from Meijer.

The city has a letter of intent to purchase the land for $82,500 an acre. Meijer also will have the right of first refusal on any naming rights for the music center.

According to a draft report for the city from Conventions, Sports & Leisure, the music center’s total economic impact on Huber Heights, Montgomery County and state is $1 billion over a 30-year period. Nearly 2,200 jobs are projected to be created during that same time period.

The Heights is an 800-acre development that stretches from the northwest corner of State Route 201 and I-70 in Montgomery County to southern Miami County. The development includes a residential community, the Kroger Aquatic Center at The Heights, the Huber Heights Y, and a 140-acre retail and entertainment component, according to the city.